Parachute construction for aeroplanes



8 3 l am a0 1 ,r Mi M. 0 f m Q S W m n L a rd Am fir! Tm "0a s w 06 WW7 N mm Aw M N AH G m o m Q1 FE M0 T 13 Am 8 C A R A P March 17, 1931.

March 17, 193l- A. FONTANAROSA ET AL 1,796,833

PARACHUTE CONSTRUCTION FOR AEROPLANES Filed Aug- 9, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 II I) Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PARACI-IUTE CONSTRUCTION FOR AEROPLANES Application filed August 9,

The present invention relates to parachute constructions for aeroplanes and embodies, more specifically, an improved parachute construction and manner of mounting the same upon an aeroplane which insures the unfolding of the chute and dislodging of the securing means upon a predetermined actuation. Considerable effort has been directed toward the provision of a parachute for the plane, the chute functioning to glide the plane gently to earth in the event of its incapacity. The difficulties incident to the clesigning of such construction are obvious and need not be enumerated herein, and the construction embodied in the present invention serves to overcome the difficulties heretofore experienced.

An object of the invention is to provide a parachute for aeroplanes which effectively opens upon a predetermined operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parachute mounting on an aeroplane in such manner that the proper opening of the chute is not hampered when the chute T is released for opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved parachute construction.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as it is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an aeroplane provided with a parachute and parachute mounting constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the plane shown in Figure 1 with a portion of the cover thereof broken away to show the manner in which the parachute is carried within.

Figure 3 is a segmental view, partly broken away and in section, showing a parachute formed with a gas filled compartment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure & is a perspective view looking from the right, as viewed in Figure 1, and showing the parachute container formed on the plane.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing :the manner in which the plane is carried by 1929. Serial No. 384,523.

the chute when the latter is extended and filled.

Referring to the above drawings, a designates the fuselage of an aeroplane provided with wings a. On the upper portion of the fuselage longitudinal doors 7) are hinged at 6. These doors are formed with top portions 6 which overlie the top of the fuselage and form aclosure with the top of the fuselage as a fourth side. The longitudinal doors are of sufficient length to enclose a parachute of the required size and, in the present construction, are shown as extending to the tail a of the aeroplane.

Upwardly extending hood portions c are formed on the doors and cooperate with the side doors 0? to form an upper compartment 6 over the wings of the plane. The doors d are hinged to the wings at d and are formed with top portions (Z which cooperate with the portions 0 to form, with the top of the wings, the compartemnt 0.

Suitable springs b and (Z normally urge the doors in the position shown in Figure l, and beads b and (Z provide weathertight joints between the abutting edges of the top portions 12 and (Z of the respective pairs of doors. The head (Z extends rearwardly over the tops of the upwardly extending portions 0' and, when the doors I) are first closed and the doors (Z thereafter closed, thisbead serves to retain the former in their closed position. This is clearly shown in Figure 1.

A recess 0 is formed in the bottom wall of the compartment 6 and a downwardly ex tending arm (l on the left hand door d is adapted to extend into such recess when the left hand door 03 is closed. A spring pressed detent a normally engages an aperture (1 in the arm d and latches the doors in their 9 closed position. The spring pressed detent e is connected with a pull cord 6 for releasing the detent from the aperture cl, and permitting the doors to spring open.

Within the compartment defined by the 9: doors I), a tapered stick 7 is hinged at f. A spring f normally urges the stickupwardly into a vertical position. Within the compartment e, a similarly formed arm g is hinged'at g and provided with a spring 9 we which normally urges the arm g into a vertical position. A parachute h is folded and laid flat upon the sticks in such manner that the chute will be thrown bodily upwardly and outwardly, thus facilitating the filling thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 2, and when the doors I) and (Z are released, the sticks f and g spring upwardly and unfurl the parachute in order that it may fill properly. The parachute h is permanently attached to the plane through four chains or cords'h' which extend through apertures [L in the lower wall of the compartment 6 and are connected to the frame structure through retractile springs 7f, the latter serving to cushion the shocks upon the frame when the parachute is unfurled and filled. A pocket It is formed in the clrute to increase itscapacity The parachute itself is of improved construction and consists of an inner and outer wall It and h, respectively, of airtight material. The space between these walls forms a gas compartment 71, and is filled with any gas ofa density designed to increase the buoyancy thereof appreciably, in this manner,

combining the characteristics of a balloon with that of a 1,)a'rachu'te. Itis preferred that the wheels of the landing gear be. mounted upon the frame through suitable springs-2' U andblocks of rubberz" in order to cushion the impact of the plane withtheea-rtli when'the parachute glides gently down to rest. 7

- While the invention has-been described in connection with the specific}, construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims. I

I- claim as my invention:

1-. A parachute construction for an aeroplane", comprising a plurality of doors forming a compartment over the'fuselage, a beading on one of the doors and overlapping the other to holdthe latter closed, upward extensions on the doors, a plurality of doors forming a compartmentover the'wings and communicating with the extensions of the first doors,springsnormally urging all'of the doors open, a beading over one of the last named doors overlappingone of the first doors to'hold' all of the doors closed, a tapered stick hinged in the compartment for receiving aparachute, a parachute" on the" stick, means to'urge' the stick upwardly, apertures in the base of the compartment over the wings, and cords extendi ng through the aper tures" an d securing the parachute to the" frame of the aeroplane.

2. A parachute construction" for an" acre-- plane, comprising a pluralityio-f doorsform; ingfa compartment over the fuselage; a beading. on one'ofthe doorsand overlappingth'e" other to" hold; the: latter closed, upward-ex.- tensions on the dbors, -a plurality of doors} farming. a compartment over the Wings and:

cem'rnunieatiIIgfwitl-tstlie' extensionortne first doors, springs normally urging all of the doors open, a beading over one of the last named doors overlapping one of the first doors to hold all of the doors closed, a tapered stick hinged in the compartment for receiving a parachute, a parachute on the stick and means to urge the stick upwardly.

3'; A parachute construction for an aeroplane, comprising a plurality of doors forming a compartment over the fuselage, a plurality of doors-forming a compartment over the wings and communicating with the first compartment, springs normally urging the doors to an open position, means to maintain the doors closed, a tapered stick hinged in the compartment for receiving a parachute, a parachute on the stick and means tourge the stick upwardly.

- This specification signed this 1st day of August, A. D. 1929.

ALFO'NSO' FO-NTANAROSA. FRANK CARI-NO. 

